A question for anyone who’s been to Auschwitz

[AI41]

Are you pleased you went, or do you regret going?

We’re going to Krakow on Boxing Day for a few days, and inevitably will need to discuss whether to visit Auschwitz. I’m going with two friends and obviously they can make their own decision. One of my friends is very interested in the war so I suspect he will want to go.

I was once told by someone who visited in the 80s that he regretted going because the horror has never left him. I am erring towards not going. But other people who’ve visited said to go and they don’t regret it at all.

It’s more like attending a funeral than being a tourist. It’s a respectful act.

Went twice Nov & May, it was definitely harder in the winter imagining the conditions they had to endure.
In November I didn’t go to Birkenau but did the second trip in May. It absolutely blew my mind that it was purpose built for extermination. Where as Auchwitz looked more like an army barracks from the outside.

Im glad I went and would do the two camps if you have time. Don’t book anything else in that day, it’s a lot to take in.

I wouldn’t go. I’ve only been to Dachau, decades ago when I was an intertwining student, but fundamentally I’m not comfortable with a death camp being some kind of tourist attraction you fit in between the salt mines and the golf cart tour of Krakow.

I didn't find it as moving as I thought it would be probably due to speed with which we were whirled through it. We were in a group of around 40 and didn't really get a chance to take much in.

We were then taken to Birkenau where the guide walked at such a speed we could barely keep up.

By contrast a friend was given an audio guide and left to walk around in her own time, so a very different experience.

I'm inclined to agree with this. Although what other way is there to go other than as a tourist! But I know what you mean, it is similar to my own feeling about it being akin to a theme park.

I don't know, maybe there's a way of ensuring respect on behalf of visitors by limiting numbers to timed visits, only accredited guides, removal of cameras and phones to a secure area before going in, advising visitors to be silent and respectful (why anyone would need to be told this is another bafflement, but it's often necessary), something like that might improve things and increase respect.

Sad thing is, it is only a tiny minority that are disrespectful, but they really spoil the sacredness (I can't think of another word) of such places.

I don't think I could stop myself from berating any moron who misbehaved, albeit in their eyes "innocently". Nope I wouldn't trust myself TBH!

I’ve been more than once. I think it’s important viewing. It’s meant to be awful, so I’ve never understood that as a reason not to go. It would be weird to go and not to find it horrific.

the only thing I’d say is it’s gone more and more ‘touristy’ over the years. I believe they’re cracking down a bit but last time I went we saw some really poor behaviour (think live streaming)

We went 2008.
If going from Krakow leave enough time it is 2+ hours by car but forever by train and then bus to the camp. We were so lucky no one else there and we were shown round by the curator a lovely man called Merlyc, his knowledge was of course more than we would have known just walking round. Often see him on TV documentaries.
The board with the pecking order was deeply unpleasant, the hair, suitcases, glasses etc not so bad. The walls of photographs desperately sad and the interagation blocks made me cry. I didn't go into the ovens I was a bit shaky by then. Merlyc loves Brits as we hung the commandant facing the ovens.
We got the train there and we're too late to get back to Krakow and Merlyc arranged for his brother to drive us back to Krakow he was so kind, we didn't speak all the way back.
It's not a happy day out but glad I went. The thing that struck me most was how normal it looks from the outside, one of the most evil places on earth.
I would also recommend the salt mine near Krakow it is amazing.

There has. But not from me.

With tour guides and people taking photos and selfies, judging from this thread?

I went on a school trip. I’m quite sensitive I guess but I don’t regret going, I’m actually glad I did. It is obviously very sad and serious, and I didn’t really want to touch anything, but I didn’t feel haunted or regretful afterwards. I still remember standing in the “showers” (gas chambers) and how awful I felt about what happened there, but it’s not a memory I necessarily want to forget. However, I only went because it was relevant to my school work, so if someone asked me if I wanted to visit an execution site or something like that now, I would probably say no because I don’t have a particular reason to

@AI41 my husband regretted going, and he is far from a sensitive soul and knew exactly what it was and a lot of the history. So it was a suprise when he said he wished he hadn't gone because he found it so upsetting.

I didn't feel as strongly affected but certainly don't think it's necessary and if I had the choice again wouldn't go. But you don't know until you've been and by then it's too late.

Edited to add - I agree that the tourism aspect is uncomfortable.

Going in October. Sachsenhausen and Dachau also visited at different ages and profoundly affected me. Go.

I went before mobile phones but I am sure it is possible to be respectful and solemn at a mass grave even if some around you aren’t.

Mmm, we've been to Ypres, and to the last post. Everyone around me cried, it was so moving. But, oh god, so many names.

Oradour is another place we've been to, strangely its small size made its tragedy feel even bigger.

I wouldn't go but that would be my choice, not what I think others should or shouldn't do. I know from other experiences what I can cope with and what I can't. My dreaming brain is really really good at taking experiences and making them worse.

I’ve been twice. Horrifying but I mean.. I’m good.

My husband worked in Poland for a while and I visited him there regularly. I went to Auschwitz and I am glad that I did. It really bought home to me the evil of the holocaust and the suffering of so many people. It is a very interesting but chilling tour. I would like to believe that the antisemites that are so prevalent amongst the blue haired young, who despite an extended education still seem to be remarkably stupid would benefit from a visit.

however I doubt that it would have any effect.

there is a saying that no birds fly over Auschwitz. While I was there I didn’t see one.

My husband worked in Poland for a while and I visited him there regularly. I went to Auschwitz and I am glad that I did. It really bought home to me the evil of the holocaust and the suffering of so many people. It is a very interesting but chilling tour. I would like to believe that the antisemites that are so prevalent amongst the blue haired young, who despite an extended education still seem to be remarkably stupid would benefit from a visit.

however I doubt that it would have any effect.

there is a saying that no birds fly over Auschwitz. While I was there I didn’t see one.

If it were a shanty town tour or the flavelas I can totally understand the sentiment of voyeurism and ’tourist’. Personally, I think an historical site of a horror is different.
The horrific conditions for the building of the pyramids, Pompeii, ground zero, castles, etc. don’t make them less meaningful for being longer ago.
Also, there are aspects and perspectives that you can’t glean from afar. That is not to say you have to. I guess it depends on what experience you want and only you can answer that.

I have been to prisoner of war museums in Asia and found them incredibly distressing. They left me feeling depressed and despairing about the human race for a long time afterwards. I find reading about concentration camps and seeing photos very disturbing, so I wouldn't go to Auschwitz on holiday.

Anyway every night at 8pm the Last Post is played at the Menin Gate. It is just so moving, hundreds, sometimes thousands of people gather and the night I was there not one person moved, spoke, coughed (!) or dared take a pic during the ceremony. That's how it's done

A quick Google shows photographs of Yr 9 students in trenches at Ypres grinning and giving the thumbs up. They even got the opportunity to dress up as a WW2 soldier.

I think it’s part of the school curriculum in Israel. They visit as part of their education.

It's horrifying but it's important to feel horrified by this recent history. As they say, if we forget we are destined to repeat this.
For me it was important to go and pay my respect.

I think those that suffered and perished there would want everyone to see this and visit if they could. It’s not disrespectful in the least. In fact quite the opposite.

I have been a few times, and I have also been to Dachau. I don't regret going, but I don't feel the need to visit any of the other camps. Those are enough for me.

It isn't a pleasant visit, but it hasn't left me with any trauma. I haven't forgotten what I saw there though. I didn't see any tourists being disrespectful the times I was there. I do think it is a very personal choice and it isn't something I would try to persuade others to do/not do. Go if you want to. Don't go if you don't want to.